Anyone Celebrate Kwanzaa?

Anonymous

We do - in addition to Christmas. I also do a presentation every year to the local preschoolers about the "other"(lol) holiday that happens around this time of year. We've been lighting our kinara since my son was about 5 (he's now 15)...

Anyone else celebrate Kwanzaa?

Roya

I'm not sure how to celebrate Kwanza.  I don't think it existed when I was a child so I didn't grow up with it and I am not certain about the history of it.  It is not as popular here in France as it must be in the US.  We do Christmas.  Thanks to you, I will look it up online and educate myself. 

Anonymous

Roya, it was designed (in 1966) to be an African-American celebration and a way to redirect the negativity that stemmed from the riots in Watts, California. It is based on the west African traditions of celebrating the first fruits of the harvest (Kwanza - only one "a" - in Kiswahili). Dr. Karenga (founder) added the other "a" to make it uniquely American, but the principles - unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, creativity, purpose and faith - are so universal that it doesn't have to be limited to the US.

The founder, Dr. Maulana Karenga, has a great site that gives pretty complete info. Find it here.

Roya

Thank you Felicia.  That is so interesting.  You are right about those principles.  It should be an 'everybody' celebration like Christmas, and not just African American. 

Roya

Happy Kwanza and Merry Christmas to my BC sisters.  Wishing you much peace and many blessings.